Tibet Weather in February: Weather Guide on Travelling to Tibet in February

February is still in the deep winter of Tibet, and the weather is quite similar to that in January. Sunshine is the symbol in winter of Tibet. It is dry and cold in February, but most of the scenic spots in Tibet are suitable for travel, such as those in Lhasa and Shigatse, etc.

The Tibetan New Year is one of the most important festivals during the whole year, and it’s usually in February. It makes February an attractive month to those travelers who want to experience the festival atmosphere. However, some scenic spots might shut down because of the harsh weather like Namtso lake. Check this guide to know how to travel to Tibet in February.

How is the Weather in Tibet in February?

Generally speaking, the average temperature of February is around -4℃ to 11℃ in Tibet. 11℃ for daytime, and -4℃ for the night. Tourists are suggested to do the visiting in daytime when it won’t be too cold. Snow sometimes occurs, but most of the time, the weather is dry and sunny. Compare with the low temperature, you will be more easily influenced by the dry weather. For example, chapped body, nosebleeds, and bleeding chapped lips might be the problem. Drinking plenty of water, using body cream and lip balm is quite helpful in February. It is wise to dress like an onion, you can take the jacket off when it’s warm in the daytime and put it on when it’s cold in the evening.

Overall Tibet Weather in February

Average Temperature	3.5℃
Average Minimum Temperature	-8℃
Average Maximum Temperature	15℃
Relative Humidity	27 %
Average Rainfall	1 mm
Wet Days (>0.1mm)	1

Where to Go in Tibet in February?

a. Lhasa City

Average temperature: 10℃ in daytime, -4℃ in the night
Dressing tips: sweater, down jacket, felt hat, glove, sunglasses

The weather in Lhasa is usually sunny and dry. It’s not too cold in daytime, as the average temperature is around 10℃. Bathed in the sun, visitors will not feel cold. However, when you do not bask under the sun, you will feel cold. It is very important to protect yourself from sunburn. Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen cream are necessary.

Tourists can visit Lhasa all year around as the city is not affected by the weather. Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor street should be on your top list. Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery are quite attractive for those travelers who like Tibetan Buddhism and culture. However, Norbulingka and Namtso lake are not recommended in winter. Norbulingka is a summer palace full of flourishing trees, flowers, and grasses. In winter, plants are withered, there is only a cold and lonely scenery left inside. Namtso lake might be closed due to the harsh weather in February, so it’s not highly suggested too. But Tourists can have a different experience in Lhasa If snow occurs.

The shiny golden temple roof will become white, and the mountains nearby will become snow mountains. With few tourists in Lhasa, you can find that the lifestyle of local people is slow. People prefer to sit in a tea house and drinking sweet tea for a whole afternoon. Many Tibetans outside Lhasa will come to Lhasa for praying during their winter leisure time. Nowadays, there are more and more hotels in Lhasa have heating and air-conditioning. You don’t need to worry about the low temperature during nights.

b. Lake Yamdrok

Average temperature: 5℃ in daytime, -11℃ in the night
Dressing tips: Sweater, Down Jacket, Felt Hat, Sunglasses, Scarf, Gloves

Lake Yamdrok belongs to Tesdang Region. It is just on the way from Lhasa to Gyantse town, Shigatse. This holy lake covers an area of 675 square kilometers and at an elevation of 4400 meters. In February, people who plan to visit Lake Yamdrok should wear enough clothes because it is cold and windy. It is wise to bring a windproof, water repellent and warm hooded jacket.

However, the beauty of Lake Yamdrok won’t be reduced because it is winter. White clouds are sluggish floating in the blue sky. The mountains behind Lake Yamdrok stretch long and unbroken. The lake is just like a sapphire embedded in the mountains. Especially after the snow, the mountains will be covered by the thick silver snow. White clouds, blue sky, snow mountains, and the holy lake make up a beautiful painting. Part of the lake will ice up sometimes in winter. At that time, visitors can see the unique scenery of the year with half ice and half water. The color of Lake Yamdrok is amazing. It will show different blue when the sun shines at different times.

c. Shigatse

Average temperature: 10℃ in daytime, -10℃ in the night
Dressing tips: Sweater, Down Jacket, Hat, Sunglasses

Shigatse region belongs to Rear Tibet, it has many attractive scenic spots. For example, Korola Glacier, Pelkor Monastery and Tashilhunpo Monastery, etc. Korola Glacier is huge, it extends from the misty mountain top to roadside only a few hundred meters away from the road. Although it influenced by the dust for a long time, the glacier is in a black-and-white stratified form, but the upper part of the glacier is shining like a giant Thangka hanging on the mountain wall in the sun.

Pelkor monastery is a typical Tibetan Buddhist temple building combined with pagodas and temples. There are not only beautiful murals but also famous stupa inside. Therefore, it is worth to have a look. Of course, the most famous Temple should be the Tashilhunpo monastery in Rear Tibet. It has the largest gilded bronze Buddha inside. The weather of Shigatse likes in Lhasa, sunny and dry. The wind is a little bit stronger compare with Lhasa. Visitors can dress like in Lhasa. And it is recommended to travel from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse, to enjoy an essence cultural trip in Tibet.

d. Everest Base Camp

Average temperature: -7℃ in daytime, -20℃ in the night
Dressing tips: Thermal underwear, Sweater, Down Jacket, Hat, Sunglasses, Scarf, Glove

In February, EBC is still cold with little rainfall. The weather is mostly sunny and cloudy with bright sunshine. The altitude is high, the temperature is low, and it is cold all the year round. So people are quite easy to have plateau reaction. With an altitude of 5200 meters, Everest Base Camp is the place closest to the world’s first peak, Everest. Most visitors cannot reach Everest in their whole lives, which makes the chance of visiting Everest Base Camp so precious. They can stand at the place which closest to Everest and enjoy the view of Everest.

Even in February, the temperature is really low. There are still some visitors choosing this time for visiting because of the lower traveling cost. Besides, Mt. Everest belongs to the snow mountain scenery, so it is a good time for visiting in winter time. People just need to pay attention on how to keep warm, and how to avoid the highland sickness. Prepare a warm sleeping bag in advance to keep warm during the night.

Notes: Sometimes the roads to Mount Everest Base Camp may be shut down due to the harsh weather.

Tibetan Festival to Experience in February

Tibetan New Year is one of the most important festivals in Tibet. It is a quite special festival. Because the day of Tibetan New year is different in different regions. The first day of Tibetan November is the Purang new year in Ali Region, Shigatse New year is on the first day of December in the Tibetan calendar. Besides, the first day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar is a traditional Tibetan New year for the Lhasa region. The customs of Tibetan New Year vary from place to place, among which the traditional Tibetan new year dominated by Lhasa is the most representative.

Tibetan people in the Lhasa region will start to prepare food, drink, and snacks for the new year since last December. Meanwhile, people also need to prepare offering and praying flags for sacrificial services. Each family will decorate the table with many different Tibetan food and drink at New Year Eve. In the past, there is no water supply, housewives would carry back “auspicious water” from the river before dawn on the day of the Tibetan New Year. Nowadays, the custom of carrying “auspicious water” has been simplified to hang a Hada on their tap. To celebrate the Tibetan New Year, it usually lasts for 15 days. Tourists can choose to feel the charm of the Tibetan New Year through family visits.

What to Pack for Visiting Tibet in February

Like other months in Winter, it’s wise to dress in layers with thermal underwear, woolen sweaters, and down coats. Bring mountaineering jackets, winter gear, scarf, and glove for higher places. Sun cream, sun hats, and sunglasses are always indispensable. Besides, the weather is dry. To bring lipstick, face cream and skin lotion are necessary. Trainers and outdoor shoes are enough.

Conclusion

February has many attractive points for visiting even it is cold. Fewer tourists, lower traveling costs, more Tibetans around, and the most important Tibet New Year festival, all these make February in Tibet worthwhile to visit. With proper preparation, you can enjoy a comfortable trip in Tibet during this time. If you still have any problem about travelling to Tibet in March, please contact us for ideas or suggestions.